As you may know, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of inmate activist organizations have mounted a concerted, nationwide campaign to have the courts take control of the operations of local jails and release inmates.

In one case, the courts have exerted this control and the sheriffs no longer have the authority they need to make critical decisions regarding admissions and/or releases from their facilities. This ruling undermines the power of the sheriffs in a dangerous way and puts the community at large at much greater risk. In another case, the state sheriffs’ association successfully argued that the sheriffs must retain their authority.

If you are currently facing such a challenge in your state and need assistance, please advise, as NSA has created a workgroup you can consult with to develop effective strategies to deal with these challenges.